For all the changes that have been made to the 2020 bail reform law since it went into effect, much of the law remains the same. Money bail is still not permitted for most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies, though additional carveouts have been made for people who have been rearrested after being released.
The Bail Eligible Offenses, 2020 Reform Edition Generally, most misdemeanors (but not sex offenses and domestic violence charges); felony drug charges (aside from Operating as a Major Trafficker, PL 220.77; and non-violent felony charges (with exceptions noted above).
Is New York Bail Reform Still in Effect? Yes, bail reforms which were enacted in 2019 are still in effect. However, there were certain rollbacks made thereafter which have limited, to some extent, the reforms that were put in place.
No - if you signed the bond it doesn't matter whether you have a job or not - or whether the bondsman asked you if you did. You are liable as surety on the bond - having a job or not has nothing to do with your liability. Sorry.
Bailing someone out of jail who has a history of untrustworthy behavior can create headaches. You're essentially agreeing to put up 10 percent of a bail bond that could be tens of thousands — or even hundreds of thousands — of dollars. If they fail to show, then you went to all that extra trouble for nothing.
The decision to post bail for someone should not be taken lightly. Financially, you risk losing the bail amount or collateral if the defendant fails to appear in court. Legally, the defendant's absence can lead to arrest warrants and additional charges, complicating their legal situation further.
In what cases are judges prevented from setting bail? Generally, most misdemeanors (but not sex offenses and domestic violence charges); felony drug charges (aside from Operating as a Major Trafficker, PL 220.77; and non-violent felony charges (with exceptions noted above).
For less severe offenses, such as misdemeanors, bail may be more readily granted. In contrast, for violent or serious felonies, it may be more challenging to secure release.